Can Unbalanced Tires Affect Driver Safety?

Can Unbalanced Tires Affect Driver Safety?

When it comes to tires, most drivers understand that tires without tread are dangerous. They don’t grip the road as they are supposed to and, in wet conditions, can lead to skidding accidents. However, what many drivers do not know is the danger presented by unbalanced tires.

Importance of Balanced Tires

The weight of tires must be evenly distributed around the wheel in order for them to operate properly. This allows the tire to roll smoothly on the road surface. When tires are unbalanced, they bounce rather than roll which can make the ride less smooth. However, unbalanced tires do more than just create a rough ride in your vehicle.

Vibration

If you have noticed that your car seems to vibrate, it is possible your tires are not balanced. You may feel the vibration even on freshly paved or smooth roads and you may find that the car steers less easily. Passengers may complain that the car ride is uncomfortable and you may find it more difficult to control the car.

Tire Damage

Unbalanced tires can lead the tires to wear unevenly. In fact, the vibration you feel could be due to uneven tread wear. When your tread is uneven, it can be difficult to steer your car easily. Your tires will also not have the proper contact on the road which is dangerous. Uneven tread also makes your tires susceptible for blow-outs.

Other Damage

In addition to damaging your tires, if your car is unbalanced you put extra stress on your shocks, bearings as well as the wheel assembly. This means they could need to be replaced sooner or they could simply fail while you are driving your car. Because balanced tires spin without interference, there is less interference with other components in the wheel.

Fuel Economy

When your tires are unbalanced, you will notice a drop in fuel economy in your vehicle. This is because your vehicle uses more gas, especially at higher speeds, lowering your gas mileage. In addition to unbalanced tires, under-inflated tires can also lower your fuel efficiency. If you have checked your tire inflation but still notice lowered gas mileage, it is possible your tires are not balanced.

If you have noticed that your tires are wearing unevenly, that your gas mileage has dropped or that your car is riding rougher than normal, it is possible your wheels are unbalanced. Make an appointment today to have your tires balanced or fill out the easy form online to learn more.

How To Avoid The 5 Most Common Causes Of NJ Car Accidents

How To Avoid The 5 Most Common Causes Of NJ Car Accidents

Vehicles have more safety features than ever before but accidents still happen every day. In fact, auto accidents account for a significant number of injuries and death in the United States each year. Even a minor accident can be frustrating and stressful as your car may need repairs which means you may be without it for some time. Although there are many different accident causes, there are five that account for the largest percentage throughout the country. These tips can help you avoid being included in those statistics.

Distracted Driving

In 2015, 391,000 people were injured in distracted driving accidents but only 290,000 were injured by drunk drivers. Although more people died that year in drunk driving accidents, the fact that so many were injured indicates how dangerous it is to be distracted while driving. Distracted driving is more than just texting. People put on makeup, food and even the morning newspaper. The best way to avoid being involved in a distracted driving accident is to do things like putting on makeup, reading the paper or eating at home and not while driving. Use a Bluetooth device for your phone so that both your hands remain on the wheel.

Drunk Driving

Although distracted driving is becoming the leading cause of accidents in the country, drunk driving is not far behind, despite significant education designed to prevent it. Too often, people believe that the two or three drinks they had were not enough to impair them, so they drive when they should not. In addition, people who may have alcohol abuse issues may choose to drive even if they know they are impaired. The best way to avoid a drunk driving accident is to not drink at all if you are driving. If you do drink, take a cab or find a designated driver.

Aggressive Driving

Driving at high rates of speed, rapid lane changes, tailgating and other unsafe, aggressive driving habits are another leading cause of accidents. Not only is it unsafe for you, it is unsafe for others on the road. If you find yourself driving aggressively, consider taking a defensive driving course to learn better driving habits. Keep safe distances between vehicles, signal before changing lanes and be aware of other vehicles on the road.

Road Rage

Although similar to aggressive driving, road rage describes when you get angry behind the wheel of the car and then take it out on other vehicles on the road. For example, whipping around a car and pulling in front of them because they cut you off on the highway or riding too closely to intimidate them. Almost every driver has road rage at some point, but it is critical that you get it under control. A defensive driving course may help you adjust your attitude on the road.

Poor Maintenance

It is critical that you keep your vehicle well maintained. Failed brakes, blown tires and engine failures cause a high number of accidents each year. Follow your manufacturers recommendations for routine maintenance such as oil changes, brake checks and other inspections that keep your car running smoothly. Ask your mechanic to check for brake line rust as snapped brake lines are common. Worn tires are another common cause of maintenance related accidents.

These tips can help you avoid accidents by preventing their common causes. For more information, fill out the easy form online.

What Every NJ Driver Ought To Know About Worn Tires

What Every NJ Driver Ought To Know About Worn Tires

Worn tires are one of the most dangerous things you can do in your vehicle and are an accident just waiting to happen. If you like to drive over the speed limit or often travel on wet, slippery roads, you could be in even more danger on bald tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that over 26 percent of crashes they studied involved vehicles with insufficient tread.

The Role of Tire Tread

Your tire tread is the part of the tire that grips the road when the weather is bad, such as in rain, snow or ice. They are what keep you in control of your car and prevent you from slipping off the road. If our vehicles only traveled on dry roads, there would be no need for treaded tires. In fact, race cars, like those used in NASCAR, do not have treaded tires. Unfortunately, other than a race track, roads are not always dry and there is very little chance that you will never have to drive in wet conditions.

What Are Tire Treads?

Treads are the small grooves or channels on the surface of your tires. The tread whisks water from the tire when roads are wet so that the tire connects to the road in all weather conditions. They are also important for steering the car, making sure that the vehicle travels in the direction we turn the wheels. When the tread is gone on your tires, it is critical that you replace them as soon as possible. Driving on bald tires are the cause of many accidents.

Increased Hydroplaning Risk

When a layer of water gets between your tire and the surface of the road, the tire cannot grip the road as it is designed to do. This can cause your car to spin out of control and lead to an accident. Keeping good tread on your tires allows the water to move away from the area where the tire meets the road. However, as we drive, the tread on the tires wears away, leading to grooves that are too shallow to direct water as they were designed.

Heat Buildup

As you drive, friction is created between your tires and the surface of the road. This creates heat and, the faster you drive, the more heat the tire must manage. Tread helps to cool the tire due to the air flow between the grooves of the tread. When the heat rises to unsafe levels, a blowout can occur which can cause you to lose control of the vehicle.

Snow and Ice Handling

If you drive in areas with snow and ice through the winter, tires with little or no tread can be extremely dangerous. Tires also have small, thin grooves cut into the edges of the tread known as sipes that help you maintain traction on slippery roads. As tread wears down, the sipes can wear down as well and you could lose control in snowy conditions much more easily than with full-tread tires.

Air Pressure

When your tires have less tread, they can lose air pressure more quickly than tires with the proper tread depth. Although it is always good practice to check your tire pressure regularly, if your tires are bald, they may be losing air quicker than you think. If your tires are bald and underinflated, the danger increases significantly. Underinflated tires have difficulty gripping the road even if it is dry. They can also cause your car to skid during sudden stops and could reduce your gas mileage, costing you additional money in fuel.

If you suspect your tires have low tread, we can inspect them for you and identify what may be causing your tires to wear out. Fill out the form online or give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

Here’s What To Do If You’ve Hit A Parked Car

Here's What To Do If You've Hit A Parked Car

According to the National Safety Council, one in five accidents happens in parking lots and a study by Allstate Insurance found that 69 percent of all hit-and-runs involve parked cars. If you hit someone in a parking lot or you discover your vehicle has been damaged in a parking lot, there are things you can do to protect yourself.

Here’s What To Do If You’ve Hit A Parked Car:

Don’t Leave the Scene

Even if you are in a parking lot, striking another car is an accident and the law requires that you remain on the scene. If you leave, you could be charged with a hit-and-run, even if the damage is minor. Most parking lots today have video surveillance so it is highly likely your license plate can be reported to police. If the police have to track you down, the punishment will be severe with fines, possible license suspension and as many as six points added to your license.

Locate the Owner

You can step into a business that uses the parking lot in order to find the owner of the car. Take down the license plate as well as the make and model of the car. If you are in the parking lot of a mall or department store, they should announce over the PA system that the owner needs to report to the parking lot. If you are unable to find the owner, leave a note with your name, address, contact number and an explanation of what happened. Don’t include any insurance information and don’t give too many details. For example, you don’t want to say you were not paying attention as this can be used against you later. Tuck the note under the windshield wiper and be sure to use ink that will not run should it rain. In some states, you can be fined for not leaving contact information.

Photos and Witnesses

If possible, take photos of any damages as well as the license plate number of the other car. This can protect you from the other person claiming damages that did not exist at the time of the accident. Look around to see if anyone else in the parking lot saw what happened. Be sure to get their contact information and ask them to write down what they saw.

If Someone Hits Your Car

If you discover your car has been hit in a parking lot and the person did not stay or leave a note, call the police to get a report. They can ask for video surveillance that could identify the suspect. Take photos and look for witnesses who may have seen the accident.

Always contact your insurance company whether you were at fault in a parking lot accident or it was caused by someone else. For more information, contact us today by filling out the easy form online.

How To File An Auto Insurance Claim In New Jersey

How To File An Auto Insurance Claim In New Jersey

No matter how careful you are behind the wheel, there is a chance that you will be involved in an accident at some point. An accident can be caused by a tree limb falling on your car in your driveway during a storm or someone running a red light as you head to work one morning. No matter what caused the accident or who was at fault, you will need to know how to file an auto insurance claim for your damages.

When Should You File a Claim in New Jersey

You need to contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Claims should be filed for vandalism, if your car was stolen or if the damage was caused by something other than a collision, like a tree limb or fire. Your insurance card will have the phone number of your insurance company or agent and most companies have after hours numbers you can call if your claim occurs at night, on weekends or on a holiday. Some companies will allow you to file your claim online as well. If you only have liability coverage on your vehicle, you will not be able to file a claim for damages to your own car as that only covers damage to someone else’s car or property. Collision and comprehensive coverage will pay for damage to your own car.

Information You Will Need

When you contact the company, you will need to give them your full name and policy number as well as the start and end dates of your policy. They will need to know the date and time the damage occurred as well as the names, addresses and phone numbers of any drivers, passengers and witnesses. You will also need to provide driver’s license and plate numbers for all vehicles involved. If the damage was the result of a collision, the insurance company may also require a copy of the police report which often has all the information included regarding the drivers and vehicles.

NJ Claims Process

Once your claim is filed, it will go through a process at the insurance company. First, the case will be assigned to a professional, normally an adjustor, who will handle the claim. The adjustor will review your coverage with you and review the details of the accident. An evaluation will be made which could include inspection of your car, reviewing injury reports and taking a sworn statement from you about the circumstances. They may offer you an initial payment to cover the cost of a rental car and other expenses. When the investigation is complete, the company will offer you a settlement. You may want to discuss your options with an attorney depending on the severity of the accident. Once you accept the settlement, the case is closed.

Injury Claims

If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, your injuries may be covered by the other drivers’ bodily liability coverage. In a no-fault state, your personal injury protection coverage pays for your injuries. You may also have additional medical payments coverage that could cover the cost of injuries suffered by other passengers or if you were injured as a pedestrian. Your uninsured/underinsured coverage will also cover you if the other driver does not have enough insurance to pay for your injuries or has no insurance at all. If you are injured, take photos of the scene and any visible injuries. Visit a doctor immediately to document any injures. Be aware that accident injuries may not become evident until a day or so after the accident, so if you develop additional problems, see a doctor right away. Document any time missed from work, paid transportation to medical appointments and any other expenses such as medical equipment.

After an accident, it is critical to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. If you are injured, visit a doctor immediately and follow all instructions you are given. Document all details of the crash and any injuries. If you have been in an accident and need assistance, schedule an appointment today.

Should You Replace Your Car Seat After An Accident?

Should You Replace Your Car Seat After An Accident- (1)

If your child is at an age where they must use a car seat, the seat is probably in your vehicle the majority of the time. If you are involved in an accident, even if your child is not occupying the seat, it is possible that you will need to replace the car seat, depending on the severity of the crash. When you are involved in a vehicle crash, forces inside the car can be extreme. This means that the car seat will be affected by crash energy whether it is occupied or not.

NHTSA Recommendation Changes

In the past, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recommended replacing car seats even when it is in a vehicle that suffered a relatively minor crash. In an effort to reduce the number of children riding without restraint while parents replace one involved in a crash as well as to reduce costs to consumers and insurance companies, NHTSA revised the recommendations somewhat. The agency, using several international studies, reports that car seats continue to protect children after being involved in a minor crash even when there is visible stress in the seat. Today, NHTSA recommends that car seats be replaced following moderate to severe crashes even if the child is not occupying the seat at the time. Unless there appears to be serious damage to the seat after a minor accident, the seat does not need to be replaced.

What is Considered a Minor Crash?

It can be difficult to determine if an automobile collision is considered minor, moderate or severe. NHTSA defines a minor accident involving a car seat as one in which the vehicle can be driven away from the scene and that the door nearest the car seat was undamaged. No injuries should be reported by passengers and air bags should not have deployed. If all of these criteria are met and there is no visible damage to the car seat, you do not have to replace your car seat. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of a new seat. If your child was close to growing out of their current seat, they may cover the cost of the next level seat.

Disposing of the Old Seat

After you have replaced the car seat, you will need to dispose of the old one. Contact your local waste agency to see if they offer a car seat recycling program. If they do not, you need to make the seat unusable by anyone else. Remove all detachable parts and cut all straps from the seat. Dismantle it as much as you can before disposing of the seat. There are people who search through residential garbage looking for yard sale and thrift shop items. By dismantling the seat, you insure that a child will not be placed in danger if someone should attempt to use it after you toss it out.

Even after a minor accident, your car seat may need to be replaced in order to keep your child safe. Your local police agency can inspect the seat for you should you have any questions about its safety.